Sen. McSally will not accept pay until government shutdown ended

PHOENIX — Newly inaugurated U.S. Sen. Martha McSally of Arizona announced Thursday that she has asked for her paycheck to be withheld until the partial federal government shutdown, in place since Dec. 22, has ended.

McSally cosponsored the No Budget, No Pay Act, introduced Tuesday, which would prohibit members of Congress from being paid, including retroactive pay, when a budget and appropriations bills are not completed by the start of the fiscal year.

She introduced the Pay Our Protectors Act which would allow federal law enforcement officers at the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice deemed “essential” to be paid during the shutdown.

Of the 800,000 or so federal workers financially affected by the shutdown, about 500,000 have been designated “essential” and continue to work without pay.

Today, I requested my pay be withheld until the partial gov't shutdown is over. I also introduced a bill to pay federal law enforcement officers during the shutdown. Members of Congress should not get paid while those who keep us safe do not. Learn more: https://t.co/deUfJRhfY8pic.twitter.com/nnYVHBjv3Y

“I don’t believe Members of Congress should get paid while those who keep us safe, like our border patrol agents and CBP officers at our ports of entry, continue to work tirelessly without pay not knowing how they’ll afford their rent and support their families,” McSally said in a press release.

“Let’s break the gridlock and find a path forward to secure our border and fund the government.”

U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona introduced the House version of the Pay Our Protectors Act on Wednesday.

Language from this bill would pave the way to cover the “salaries and expenses of any officer or employee of the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Transportation and Security Administration, or the E-Verify program.”

President Donald Trump has said he will not sign a bill funding the government unless it included more than $5 billion to pay for a border wall.